Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
75 words
A bone anchor for securing a suture to a bore hole in a bone comprising an elongated body having a tip at a distal end of the body, first and second slots extending lengthwise at spaced locations on the body, a suture receiving opening extending through the tip, and at least one ridge extending outwardly from the exterior of the body and defining an edge adapted to lodge in the wall of the bore hole.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
75 words
A bone anchor for securing a suture to a bore hole in a bone comprising an elongated body having a tip at a distal end of the body, first and second slots extending lengthwise at spaced locations on the body, a suture receiving opening extending through the tip, and at least one ridge extending outwardly from the exterior of the body and defining an edge adapted to lodge in the wall of the bore hole.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
18 words
The bone anchor of claim 1 wherein said tip is partially conical and terminates in a rounded end.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
54 words
The bone anchor of claim 1 wherein the body includes a substantially cylindrical portion, the first and second slots are diametrically opposed and the suture receiving opening extends from the side of the body in which the first slot is formed to the side of the body in which the second slot is formed.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
13 words
The bone anchor of claim 1 wherein a plurality of ridges are provided.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
30 words
The bone anchor of claim 1 wherein said ridge is generally circular and extends about the circumference of the cylindrical portion and is interrupted by the first and second slots.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
62 words
The bone anchor of claim 5 wherein said ridge has a frustoconical leading surface with a minimum diameter closest the distal end of the body and a radially extending back surface facing away from the distal end which forms an edge with the leading surface that digs into the wall of the bore hole to lock the anchor in the bore hole.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
41 words
The bone anchor of Claim 1 wherein said body includes at least two resilient walls which define between them said first and second slots, said walls being compressible together when the bone anchor is inserted into the hole in the bone.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
29 words
The bone anchor of Claim 7 wherein said first and second walls are biased outwardly to cause said ridge to engage the wall of the hole in the bone.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
42 words
The bone anchor of Claim 7 wherein said first and second walls diverge in an outwardly scissoring relationship to firmly anchor said body in the hole in the bone when tension is exerted on the suture passing through said suture receiving opening.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
25 words
The bone anchor of Claim 1 in combination with a pusher member having a distal tip en- gagable with the proximal end of said body.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
36 words
The bone anchor and pusher member of Claim 10 in combination with a depth member, positionable on said pusher member, to control the depth to which said body is inserted with the hole in the bone.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
39 words
The bone anchor and pusher member of Claim 10 in combination with a hollow inserter device into which said pusher member and bone anchor are positionable to assist insertion of said bone anchor into the hole in the bone.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
32 words
The bone anchor of Claim 7 in combination with a spreader member for urging said resilient walls outwardly against the bone after said body is inserted into the hole in the bone.